Research centre of excellence urged

Apr 1 2009

A centre of excellence that would make the most of Scotland's research strengths has been called for in a report on the future of manufacturing.

It is envisaged the centre would help maximise the commercial opportunities from Scotland's top research and development (R&D) ideas, according to the report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The manufacturing workforce in Scotland has fallen from 475,000 (23% of total employment) in 1981 to about 218,000 (9%) according to more recent figures.